Page:Fashions for Men And The Swan Two Plays (NY 1922).pdf/273

 minutes and then all that was beautiful in my life  will be gone.

—[Trembling.] I have never before been alone with a man.

—[Comes toward her.] Are you afraid of me?

—I don't know. But if it's fear then I want always to be afraid.

—The last time perhaps the last moment I shall see you. Do you love me?

—[Almost stammering; like a child.] If it's love then  it's just the same as  when I was a little girl  and the Emperor came. [He regards her in astonishment.] Yes I had seen many portraits of the Emperor  with a golden crown on his head  in all his glitter and glory  and then once, when he visited us, in civilian clothes[Regretfully.] I didn't recognize him.

—My beautiful princess! [Comes nearer to her.]

—[Trembling.] Don't come too near, Hans.

—Are you so afraid of me? [Takes her hand.]

—[Draws back.] I don't like you to touch me How cold your hand is!

—No. It's yours that's hot. What are you